Medium Peel FAQ

Medium Chemical Peels

BHA Salicylic Layered Peel 10% or 20% 30- 60 mins $120
Jessner Layered Peel(Salicylic14% / Lactic14%/ Resorcinol14% Mix) 30- 60 mins $120
TCA Layered Peel 20% or 30% 30- 60 mins $120

CHEMICAL PEELS

There has been a lot of interest in Peels lately with lots of enquiries regarding peels to remove pigment/ age spots/ wrinkles / acne or acne scarring and what are the different types of peel?.

A consultation is a must to determine which peel would best suit your current skin condition.

Depending on your skin issues Chemical Peels can really improve many skin imperfections.

They can be used to restore a youthful, vibrant appearance to wrinkly, blotchy, sundamaged skin.

Acne and acne scarring also respond really well to mild peels as the acids help to deep clean the pores, correct skin pH and generally improve the health of the skin.

Images Beauty Therapy Clinic offers a variety of Peels to our clients.

Visit our Light Chemical Peel Page 

WHAT ARE PEELS?

A peel or exfoliant is a skin treatment that removes the top layers of your skin (epidermis).

A chemical peel is a treatment technique used to improve and smooth the texture of the skin using a chemical solution that causes the top layers to soften then slowly slough off or peel off.

There are three main types of chemical face peels – light, medium and deep chemical peels.

Often at least 4 sessions are needed in an area to obtain optimal results but sometimes only a few. Treatments should be 4 to 6 weeks apart.

A light peel Treats the Epidermis, improves acne scars, skin texture and reduces effects of sun damage.

The most commonly used Chemical Acids used in the Beauty Industry are the Alpha Hydroxy (AHA) or naturally occurring fruit or food acids.

A medium peel improves acne, smooths fine surface wrinkles and corrects pigment problems.

A medium peel penetrates the Epidermis and can penetrate into the Dermis.

For more intensive Peels Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Salicylic Acid and Tri-chloro- acetic Acid (TCA) is used.

Deep peels help treat sun-damaged skin, deep coarse wrinkles and pre-cancerous growths.

A Deep Peel penetrates deep into the dermis layer.

Phenol Peels are used in the medical Beauty Industry and are performed under medical supervision by doctors only and in Hospital conditions with Full Anaesthesia. (Beauty Therapists cannot perform this depth of peel)

Understanding Skin and Peels

Your skin has lots of layers. Skin is divided into 3 main layers – the Epidermis, the Dermis and the Subcutaneous layer.

The top layer is the epidermis. The Epidermis is then divided into 5 layers – the top most or outer layer – Stratum Corneum, then Lucidum, Granulosum, Spinosum, and then the Basal at the very lowest layer sitting on top of the Dermis and Subcutaneous layers. It is primarily the Stratum Corneum that Peels are treating.

It’s been calculated we have approximately 40 + layers of epidermis – a layer of skin cells for each day and it takes about 6 weeks to replace all the layers. We make a new layer of epidermis cells (in the basal layer) and we shed a layer of old epidermis cells (corneum) every day. As we age our skin slows this process down.

Therefore, if we peel a few layers from the top outermost layers, we refresh the skin surface. We get rid of the oldest skin to be replaced by younger skin cells underneath. Regular exfoliation is known to speed the renewal processes of the skin. It is the replacement of the skin that is rejuvenating the skin surface and improving texture, colour and moisture – ie feel, look and softness of your skin. Pigmentation is mainly found in the epidermis layers of the skin and exfoliation (natural or therapeutic treatments) remove the pigmented skin cells thus revealing younger less pigmented skin – hence, lightening the skin colour.

NOTE – Green Herbal Peel is also a Medium Peel with very similar results

What is a Medium Peel?

Medium chemical peels are an effective way to correct acne scars, address uneven pigmentation, improve the texture and tone of the skin, smooth out fine lines, and more.

A Medium Peel works by penetrating the top layers of skin cells causing the skin cells to soften then swell and then dry out. These dead skin cells then detach from the layers underneath to allow for new skin cells to be revealed and replace the dull, damaged outer layers of skin.

Medium chemical peels include Layered Salicylic, Jessner (lactic & salicylic) and TCA peels.

BHA or Salicylic Acid (willowbark or aspirin) is another similar Natural Acid to AHA’s but penetrates deeper into the skin and works more on removing surface skin and down into the pores.

Salicylic Acid has an antiseptic, anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory effect which calms and heals acne breakouts. The main benefit of salicylic acid is that by being aspirin, it prevents after-treatment irritations.

It’s precisely the anti-inflammatory properties of Salicylic Acid that make Salicylic Acid peels safer and more effective than an AHA peel, especially for sensitive skin or darker skin types.

TCA Trichloroacetic Acid Chemical peels are popular because they are an excellent “spot” treatment that can be used on any area of the body and can be completed in as little as 30 minutes.

For best results, clients typically complete a prescribed series of treatments, with each treatment spaced six to twelve weeks apart.

Candidates for Medium Peels BHA or TCA Peels

Medium (BHA or TCA) chemical peels are known for delivering long-lasting results after a brief healing process. BHA or TCA chemical peels are ideally suited to patients wishing to address wrinkles, superficial blemishes and scars, uneven pigmentation including sunspots.

Prior to a Chemical Peel – what to do?

It is recommended that any person beginning chemical peels should have a consultation first with a patch test That they use Homecare Products with UV protection and it MUST be used every day prior to and after any Light or Medium Peels. Prior to a Medium Strength Peel please REFRAIN from using any form of Exfoliatants or AHA Product.

Application of Medium Peel

  • In preparation for a light chemical peel, the client’s skin is first gently cleansed to remove any oil and makeup.
  • A prep solution is used to “de-fat” the skin and allow a deeper penetration of the acid solution.
  • The thin liquid solutions of BHA, Jessner and TCA solutions are either painted on with a fan brush or cotton swab.
  • During the procedure you will experience a warm to hot sensation in the skin and we can offer you a fan to help keep your skin cool.
  • One to three (possibly more) layers may be applied with a five minute interval between each layer.
  • Frosting indicates that the skin has reached saturation point – or time to stop.
  • With each additional layer we are increasing the depth of the penetration of the peel solution, increasing the number layers of skin that will peel and increasing the length of time the skin will take to flake off.
  • The BHA, Jessner or TCA solutions are self neutralizing and are left on the skin and allowed to dry.
  • Then a soothing ointment is applied.
  • You must avoid wetting or washing your skin for the next 8-12 hours.
  • We then finish with Sun Block.
  • Your skin may be shiny and red for a few hours after treatment.
  • Flaking and itchiness is also possible in the first few days.
  • Use high SPF sun blocks every time you go out, BHA increases sun sensitivity.
  • Depending on the size of the area being treated, a medium chemical peel may take from 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
 

Recovery after Medium Chemical Peel

  • After a Medium chemical peel, the treated skin cells dehydrates and a superficial crust of dry skin forms over the treated area.
  • The skin gradually gets tighter and drier. It may even itch. Apply lots of moisturiser or oil to allieviate this itch or urge to scratch.
  • Then after 2 to 3 days the skin begins to flake off and may continue to flake for 7 to 10 days.
  • The newly revealed skin may initially appear reddish, but the discoloration will fully fade returning to normal colour within a week to reveal skin with dramatically improved texture, colour, and overall appearance.
  • Healing time takes approximately two weeks.
 

Possible Side Effects

  • Redness, heat and some mild swelling are common side effects after this type of skin peel.
  • As your skin peels your appearance may be embarrassing as the flakes of skin become obvious, dark and lifting.
  • Do not remove the flaking skin or perform any scrubs or exfoliation to speed the PEELING process.
  • The new skin underneath the dry peeling skin is very vulnerable to damage if exposed too soon.
  • Application of rich ointment type creams to allow the skin to PEEL at its own pace.
  • During recovery, it is important for the client to follow the instructions given by the therapist who applied the BHA, Jessner or TCA peel.
  • The therapist will provide instructions for limiting sun exposure and taking other precautions after a medium chemical peel.
  • Always keep in contact with Images as the peel progresses as we are interested in your achieving optimum results.
 

Multiple Medium Peels Required to Achieve Desired Results?

Though individual treatment plans vary, clients typically undergo multiple medium chemical peel treatments over a year or two before achieving optimal results. The number of treatments, as well as their spacing, depends on the clients goals, the condition of the clients skin, and other factors.

A gap of 6-8 weeks is advisable as it can take 10 – 14 days for skin to finish peeling and a further 14 – 28 days to regenerate sufficient skin to enable a repeat medium depth peel.

Benefits of BHA Salicylic or TCA Trichloroacetic Acid Peels

Medium Peels are used to clear clogged pores, oily, congested skin, acne and blackheads and importantly pigmentation especially on darker skin types who can experience difficulties with AHA Acid peels.

For blackheads, you will probably see results after 2-3 peels.

For mild-moderate acne, it will probably take around 6 peels, over a year, more if your acne is more severe.

For Pigmentation you may get lightening with just 1 peel or you may require multiple peels – but remember this is NOT a permanent result.

This peel only removes the top layers of skin and NOT the cells that cause pigmentation.

Do’s and Don’ts!!

  • You might experience some initial tingling or mild itching, and a pink hot glow may appear.
  • Continue to fan your skin during the recovery hours after your peel.
  • A cooling compress of a flannel dipped in 1 cup cool water with 1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda can also be applied. BSoda neutralises Acid.
  • Do not forget sun block, Chemical peel treatments gently peel layers of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin exposing more delicate skin cells to the sun’s harmful rays. It is therefore imperative that a sun block be used (all year) to prevent sun damage and potential for hyper pigmentation (dark blotches). With proper sun protection Chemical peel’s can be used all year round.
  • After a couple of weeks healing, you can improve results with AHA or AHA/ BHA Homecare Products, which enable you to continue a gentle strength chemical peel treatment between Professional Strength Chemical Peels.
  • To avoid or treat pigmentation problems we recommend using products containing Vitamin C, Liquorice or Bearberry Extracts.(Pigment Inhibitors.)
 

Contraindications

i.e. health problems that could stop or interfere with a Facial Procedure

Sun Burn, Burns and Skin Disorders, Severe Active Infected Acne, Open cuts & Abrasions, Bruises & Swelling, Active herpes (cold sores), Conjunctivitis, Severe Eczema and Psoriasis, Impetigo (staphylococcus infection),Fungal Infection, Extreme Allergic Sensitivity. Recent Operations or Skin Injuries (less than 6 Months), Hepatitis, Roacutane and Retin A, Cancer, Diabetes, Rosacea, Organ Transplant, Pregnancy, Allergies.

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